E 

2.31 

T65 



ARNOLD'S 



EXPEDITION AGAINST QUEBEC, 



/ 



1775-1776. 



THE DIARY OF EBENEZER WILD. 



ffilitl) a 3List of sucl) Btaries. 



By JUSTIN WINSOR. 



[Privately reprinted, Seventv-five Copies, from the Prockedings 

OF THE MaSSACHCSETTS HISTORICAL SoCtETY, ApRIL, 1886.] 



CAMBRIDGE: 

JOHN WILSON AND SON. 
2anii)ersttp iSrcss. 

1886. 




Class "E 2>'5 



Book__.Xk 






ARNOLD'S ^/i-K^ 
EXPEDITION AGAINST QUEBEC. 

1775-1776. 



/>p 



THE DIARY OF EBEISTEZER WILD, 

Mit\) a Hist of suc|j IBmits. 



By JUSTIN WINSOR. 



[Privately reprinted, Seventy-five Copies, from the Proceedings 
OF THE Massachusetts Historical Society, April, 188G.] 



CAMBRIDGE : 

JOHN WILSON AND SON. 

©niijcrsup 43r£ss. 

1886. 




t- 



-V 



ARNOLD'S EXPEDITION TO QUEBEC, 

1775-1776. 



Mr. Winsor presented a copy of an unprinted joui'nal 
kept on the Kennebec expedition to Quebec, under Arnold, 
in 1775-76. Its author was Ebenezer Wild, who was one 
of those captured in Arnold's party during the attempted 
storming of Quebec, Dec. 31, 1775. He remained a prisoner 
till the arrangement was made with Carleton for the release 
of the New Englanders in June. The manuscript was given 
to Harvard College Library in 1850 by W. S. Stoddard. It 
may be convenient to enumerate the other diaries of this 
expedition which have been preserved or noted. 

1. Arnold's, Sept. 27 to Oct. 30, 1775. The original manuscript 
was left behind by Arnold when he fled from West Point. Extracts 
from it are printed in S. L. Knapp's " Life of Aaron Burr," 1835. It 
is now owned by Mr. S. L. M. Barlow, of New York. A copy made 
of it, when owned by Judge Edwards, of New York, is in the "• Sparks 
Manuscripts " (LII. vol. ii.). 

2. " Journal of the March of a Party of Provincials from Carlyle 
to Boston, and from thence to Quebec, begun the thirteenth of July 
and ended the thirty -first of December, 1775. To which is added 
an Account of the Attack and Engagement of Quebec, the 31st 
December, 1775." Glasgow, 1775, pp. 36. Sabin (" Dictionary of 
Books relating to America," vol. ix. No. 36, 728) says it is the jour- 
nal of a company of riflemen, under Captains William Hendricks and 
John Chambers, and that it was sent from Quebec to Glasgow by a 
gentleman who appended the " Account." 

3. A manuscript journal kept by HenryJ^earborn, Sept. 10, 1775. 
to July 16, 1776, is in the Boston Public Library. 

4. "Caleb Haskell's diary, May 5, 1775, to May 30, 1776, — a 
revolutionary soldier's Record before Boston and with Arnold's expe- 
dition." Newbury port, 1881, pp. 23. It is edited by L. Withington. 
The diarist was of Ward's company. 



5. John Joseph Henry's " Accurate and Interesting Account of the 
Hardships and Sufferings of that Band of Heroes who traversed the 
Wilderness in the Campaign against Quebec." Lancaster, Pa., 1812. 
There were later editions, with changed titles, published at Watertown, 
N. Y., 1844, and at Albany, 1877, the last having a memoir of Judge 
Henry, the author, by his grandson Aubrey H. Smith, from whicb we 
learn that the narrative was dictated by Henry to his daughter in his 
last years, with the aid of notes and memoranda made at the time, and 
that it was printed without the author's revision. 

6. A journal of Lieutenant William Heth, of Morgan's Riflemen, is 
referred to in Marshall's '' Washington," pp. 53, 57. 

7. A journal of Sergeant McCoy is referred to in Henry's " Account." 

8. Major Return J. Meigs' " Journal of the Expedition against Que- 
bec under Colonel Benedict Arnold in the Year 1775." It forms Vol. I. 
of Charles I. Bushnell's " Crumbs for Antiquarians," New York, 1859 ; 
and it is also printed in the Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections (vol. xii.). 

9. J. Melvin's " Journal of the Expedition to Quebec in the Year 
1775." New York (100 copies), 1857. Introduction by William J. 
Davis. It was also printed by the Franklin Club, Philadelphia, 1864. 
Melvin was of Dearborn's Company. 

10. E. M. Stone (see No. 14) refers to John Peirce's journal of 
daily occurrences, Sept. 8, 1775, to Jan. 16, 1776. Peirce was an en- 
gineer with the pioneers. His record is defective at the beginning and 
end, and has not been printed. 

11. "Journal of Isaac Senter, Physician and Surgeon to the Troops 
on a Secret Expedition against Quebec in September, 1775." Phila- 
delphia, 1846, taken from Vol. I. of the Bulletin of the Pennsylvania 
Historical Society. It begins at Cambridge, Sept. 13, 1775, and ends 
at Quebec, Jan. 6, 1776. 

12. The diary of Ephraim Squier, Sept. 7 to Nov. 25, 1775, is 
preserved in the Pension Office, Washington, and is printed in the 
"Magazine of American History" (vol. ii. 'p. 685). 

13. Stone (No. 14) reports, as at that time in the hands of David 
King, of Newport, a journal of Captain John Topham, for September, 
October, and November, 1775, which had not been printed, and was 
illegible before the date of October 6. 

14. " Invasion of Canada in 1775, including the Journal of Captain 
Simeon Thayer, describing the Perils and SufPerings of the Army 
under Colonel Benedict Arnold, with Notes and Appendix by E. M. 
Stone." Providence, 1867, being Vol. VI. of the R. I. Hist. Soc. 
Collections. 

15. "Journal of an Expedition against Quebec in 1775, by Joseph 
Ware, of Needham, Mass. Published by Joseph Ware, grandson of 
the journalist." Boston, 1852. It begins Sept. 13, 1775, and ends on 
board a cartel-vessel at sea, Sept. 6, 1776. The notes are by Justin 



Winsor. It was first printed in the " N. E, Hist, and Geneal. Regis- 
ter," April, 1852. Whitmore (" Amer. Genealogist," p. 84) questions 
Ware's authorship. 



A Journal of a March from Cambridge, on an Expedition against Que- 
bec in Colonel Benedict Arnold's Detachment, Sept. 13, 1775. [J5y 
Ebenezer Wild.'] 

September Vdth. — Marched from Cambridge until evening, and 
encamped at Maiden that night. 

lAth. — This morning marched very early, and encamped in the 
evening at Beverly. This day marched twenty-five miles ; the weather 
very sultry. 

loth. — This morning marched briskly along, and got into Newbury- 
port at eight o'clock at night, where we were to make a stay for several 
days. 

1 Qth. — In Newbury port, waiting for the vessels getting ready to 
carry us to Kennebec. 

\lth. — This day had a general review, and our men appeared very 
well and in good spirits, and made a grand appearance ; and we had 
the praise of hundreds of spectators, who were very sorry to see so 
many brave fellows going to be sacrificed for their country. 

Idith. — Had orders to embark in the evening. Our fleet consisted 
of eleven sail of vessels, sloops, and schooners. Our number of troops 
consisted of 1,300 ; eleven companies of musketmen, and three of rifle- 
men. We were embarked this evening, and lay in the river all night. 

1 'dth. — Early this morning weighed anchor with a pleasant gale, our 
colors flying, drums beating, fifes playing, and the hills all round covered 
with pretty girls, weeping for their departing swains. This night had 
like to have proved fatal to us, for we were close on board of rocks be- 
fore we knew anything about it. We were immediately all called upon 
deck, expecting every moment to be dashed to pieces against the rocks ; 
but the wind freshing we got clear after several tacks, to the great joy 
of us. 

20^/i. — Arrived in Kennebec River ; rowed and sailed up against 
wind and tide. 

21s^ — Arrived at Fort Weston [Western], where we halted for 
some days, and here we were furnished with bateaux and provisions 
for carrying us up the river. Continued here the 22d, 23d, and 
24th. 

'ibth. — Embarked on board our bateaux, and arrived at Fort Hali- 
fax in the evening of the 26th. 

21th. — Carried over Ticoneck Falls our bateaux and provisions, 
forty rods carriage, and pushed up three miles. 



28^^. — Pushed up eight miles ; the water so bad that the bateaux 
men were obliged to di*ag the boats up over shoals ; in many places 
were up to their chins in water. 

22th. — Pushed up to the second carrying- place, called Cohiggin 
Falls. 

ZOth. — Carried over sixty rods, and pushed up five miles. 

October \st. — Pushed up over rocks and shoals, where we were 
many times over head in water pulling the bateaux over ; we arrived 
at the third carrying-place in the evening. 

2d. — This day carried over Norridgewalk Falls one mile and a 
quarter, and then encamped. We felt very uncomfortable this night 
after dragging our boats over roots and rocks and mud. 

dd. — Pushed up eleven miles on our way. Captain Hendricks' 
company of riflemen shot a young moose, which weighed about two 
hundred pounds. But we had none of it, they being before us. This 
day we left all inhabitants, and entered an uncultivated country and 
barren wilderness. The timber for the most part is birch, pine, and 
hemlock. Some places on the river there are places where large sugar 
trees grow. 

Ath. — Pushed up eight miles to Tintucket, or Hellgate Falls, and 
carried our boats over forty rods. 

6th, 6th, and 7th. — Pushed up to the head of the Kennebec, where 
we carried out into a pond. These three last days we came about 
twenty miles. 

8th. — This day we pushed on very briskly, it being Sunday. The 
foremost companies lying still on account of heavy rains; we marched 
all day, it being very wet and cold, and suffered a good deal from the 
inclemency of the weather, and came up with some of them at night. 

2th, lOth, and 11th. — Carried to the first pond, three and one-half 
miles land-carriage ; crossed the pond two miles. 

12th and ISth. — Carried to a second pond three quarters of a mile ; 
crossed the pond one mile over, then carried two miles to a third pond, 
and crossed the pond two miles over. 

lAth and 15th. — Carried to the Dead River three miles, and went up 
one mile ; then encamped at night. This river runs so still that it can 
scarce be perceived which way it runs ; it is black water, about four 
rods wide, and runs southeast. 

16th. — The water now being deep and dead, we betook ourselves to 
our oars, and rowed up six miles. 

17th. — After carrying over a small carrying-place, about ten rods, 
rowed up fifteen miles. 

18th. — Rowed up twenty miles, and carried over a small carrying- 
place. 

19th. — Carried over four carrying-places, and rowed up about five 
miles. 



20th, ^Ist, and 22c?. — Were detained in our tents by heavy rains. 

2dd. — The water being shallow, we were obliged to lay by our 
oars and take our setting poles. We pushed up ten miles. 

24<A. — Our provisions growing scanty, and some of our men being 
sick, we held a council, and agreed to send the sick back, and send a 
captain and fifty men forward to the inhabitants as soon as possible, 
that they might send us some provisions. Accordingly, the sick were 
sent back, and Captain Hanchitt, with fifty men, sent forward. Before 
this, Colonel Enos, with three captains and their companies, turned 
back, and took with them large stores of provisions and ammunition, 
being discouraged (as we supposed) by the difficulties they met with. 
This day got forward nine miles. The water being very rapid, many 
of our boats were upset, and much of our baggage lost, with provisions 
and guns. 

2bth. — Snowed all night ; very cold this morning. Pushed over 
two carrying-places. Got forward eight miles to-day. 

2&th. — Pushed up four ponds, and carried over two carrying-places, 
one of them a mile over ; the ground covered with snow. 

21th. — Crossed a pond half of a mile over, and carried fifteen rods 
to another pond, two miles over, to the great carrying-place, four miles 
and fifty rods over. Here it was agreed to leave most of our bateaux, 
being greatly fatigued by carrying over such hills, rocks, and swamps as 
were never passed by man before. 

2^th. — After carrying over the great carrying-place, we encamped 
by a small stream, running into Chadore pond. Dealt out to each man 
four pints of flour and what little meat we had left, which was about 
four ounces per man. 

2^lh. — Early this morning set out for the head of Chadore 
River. This day we suffered greatly by our bateaux passing by us, 
for we had to wade waist-high through swamps and rivers, break- 
ing ice before us. Here we wandered round all day, and came at 
night to the same place which we left in the morning, where we 
found a small dry spot, where we made a fire, and we were obliged to 
stand up all night in order to dry ourselves and keep from freezing. 
We continued so till next day, when a bateau came up and took us 
across the river. 

dOth. — At noon were relieved from our miserable situation, and 
made the best of our way through the woods for Chadier \sic]. 

Zlst. — Pushed on for Chadore with all speed, in hopes of over- 
taking our bateaux in order to get some flour, for ours was all expended ; 
but to our great grief and sorrow our bateaux were stove, and our flour 
was lost, and the men barely escaped with their lives. Now we were 
in a miserable situation, not a mouthful of provision ; and by account 
seventy miles from inhabitants, and we had a wilderness, barren and 
destitute of any sustenance, to go through, where we expected to suffer 



8 

hunger and cold and fatigue. Here the captain with the ablest men 
pushed on in order to get provisions to send back for the sick. 

November \st. — This morning started very early, hungry and little 
satisfied with our night's rest. Travelled all day very briskly, and at 
night encamped in a miserable situation. Here we killed a dog, and 
we made a very great feast without bread or salt, we having been four 
days without any provisions ; and we went to sleep that night a little 
better satisfied. Our distress was so great that dollars were offered for 
bits of bread as big as the palm of one's hand. 

2(f. — This morning when we arose, many of us were so weak that 
we could hardly stand ; we staggered about like drunken men. How- 
ever, we made shift to get our packs on our backs, and marched off, 
hoiking to see some inhabitants. This night a small stick across the 
road was sufficient to bring the stoutest to the ground. In the evening 
we came in sight of the cattle coming up the river-side, which were sent 
by Colonel Arnold, who had got in two days before. It was the joy- 
fullest night that ever I beheld, and some could not refrain from crying 
for joy. We were told by the men who came with the cattle that we 
were yet twenty miles from the nearest inhabitants. Here we killed a 
" creetur," and we had some coarse flour served out, with straws in it 
an inch long. Here we had a noble feast, and some of the men were 
so hungry that before the " creetur " was dead the hide and flesh were 
on the fire broilinji;. 

dd. — Marched this day twenty miles, wading through several small 
rivers, some of them up to our middle, and very cold. In the evening 
we came in sight of a house, the first we had seen for forty-one days. 

Ath. — Last night had plenty of beef and potatoes ; but little or no 
bread was to be had. Snowed most of the night. In the morning 
marched down the river to inhabitants thick settled. 

bth. — Continued our march down the river ; the people very hos- 
pitable ; provisions plenty, but very dear ; milk one shiUing sterling 
per quart, and bread a shilling per loaf, weighing no more than three 
pounds. Came this day twelve miles. 

Zth. — Came up with Colonel Arnold and the advanced party. 
Marched off together at two o'clock, and marched till twelve o'clock 
at night. Roads excessive bad, most of the way mid-leg deep with 
mud and water. Marched seventeen miles. 

^th. — Marched three [miles] ; then halted till night, when a lieu- 
tenant was sent forward with thirty men to see if our way was clear. 
Accordingly they marched till near two o'clock in the morning, when 
we halted. We were in sight of Quebec, the river St. Lawrence 
between us and the town. 

?>th. — Took up our quarters along the river-side until our troops be- 
hind could come up. Here we stayed until the 13th. By this time all 
the men alive had come, several having perished with hunger in the 



woods. During our stay here, we took a midshipman belonging to a 
frigate in the harbor, who came on shore with several others in a boat, 
to carry away flour from a mill on our side of the river, which is about 
a mile or some better wide. At the city one twenty-eight-gun frigate 
and a sloop-of-war, with some merchantmen, were in the harbor. 

13th. — Crossed the river at night in long boats and canoes. Some 
of the canoes overset in the river ; but none of the men were lost, only 
some few guns and clothes. Got all over before morning at a place 
called Wolf's Cove. 

lith. — This morning were fired upon by the frigate, but received 
no damage. Took up our quarters in some good houses near the town, 
which were forsaken by the owners. Here we remained until the 20th, 
during which time we were informed that there were not more than one 
hundred regulars in the city, with a number of sailors and other new 
recruits, in all not exceeding four hundred under arms. The first day 
we came over the river, we passed close by the walls of the town, and 
gave three cheers without being molested by the enemy, who fired a few 
shots from their cannon, but did us no harm. 

21st. — ■ Marched up the river twenty miles to Point aux Trembles, 
our ammunitions being almost expended and too scant to attack the 
town with. Here we were joined by General Montgomery with the 
York forces from Montreal, who had taken St. John's, Fort Shamble, 
and Montreal. In these places they took a great quantity of provisions, 
clothing, ammunition, and cannon, with nine hundred and fifty prisoners. 
Remained here until the 5th of December. 

December 5th. — Marched back to Quebec and laid siege to the town ; 
continued the siege until the 29th, during which time we took several 
prisoners. Cannonaded and bombarded each other both day and night. 
During these transactions the two men who had been left with Lieu- 
tenant McSolan came to us and informed us that they had buried him 
at the first inhabitant's, after he had been brought down the river by 
two Indians, hired by Captain Smith for the purpose. 

2dth. — This night prepared to storm the city in two different places. 
General Montgomery with the York forces on one quarter, and Colonel 
Arnold on the other hand. Accordingly, about five o'clock in the morn- 
ing, began the attack ; but they could not get to the wall, but reti-eated 
back to their quarters, their general and two leading officers being killed 
by the fire from the enemy. Colonel Arnold with his party earned on 
the attack on his quarter, and got possession of their two gun battery, 
and took seventy prisoners. Our colonel being wounded in the begin- 
ning of the attack, was carried back. The captains themselves then 
took the lead, and drove the enemy until, overpowered by numbers and 
surrounded, we were obliged to surrender ourselves prisoners of war. 

Ja?i. 1, 1776. — In the French convent they gave us some rum 
to drink and some hard bread to eat. Our allowance of provisions was 



10 

One pound of bread, one half pound of pork, one gill of rice for a day, 
and six ounces of butter a week. 

2c?. — In prison, this day we had a cask of porter [given] by some 
gentleman of the town. 

3d and Ath. — The general sent for a list of our names, of the old 
countrymen in particular by themselves that were with us, and they 
chiefly enlisted in the King's service. 

5th to 8^^. — The prisoners petitioned to have their packs sent in to 
them, whereupon they sent out a flag and received them for us. 

8th to 15th. — The general sent for a list of the occupations of the 
prisoners. The small-pox is very plenty with us. Captain Hubbard 
died with the wound he received in coming in. 

19th to 22rf. — Five of those that enlisted out of prison and five 
others deserted in the night. There were two men put in irons for 
attempting to break out of prison. 

22d to 25th. — There were three vessels and a house burned by our 
people. The enemy went into St. Rochs after plunder. There were 
two of our people taken going to set tire to the shipping. 

25th to 29th. — There were three men deserted the garrisons. The 
people get out into St. Rochs every day and fetch in the remains of the 
buildings that were burnt. 

29th to 3lst. — Two men of Captain Ward's company died of the 
small-pox. The men are getting well, some of them. 

Febi'uary \st to 5th. — There were two men deserted. Seven of our 
men died with the small-pox, and one of our men died with the pleurisy ; 
he was sick but one day. 

5th to 9th. — Three men deserted, and forty men lay sick in 
prison. 

9th to \2fh. — Very wet and snowy ; the storm very heavy. Three 
men were stifled to death on duty. 

\2th to \5th. — This morning sixty men went to the hospital with 
the small-pox. The men have it very horribly. 

16^A to 20th. — Six of the old countrymen that enlisted in the King's 
service deserted, and the remainder were put in prison again because 
those deserted. 

2'dth to 24:th. — Five men died with the small-pox. The enemy 
made an attempt to go out after our people's cannon, and were driven 
back. There was a continual firing after them. 

2ith to 31st. — Nothing remarkable. 

March 1st to Q>th. — Three men deserted. 

&th to 10th. — One of the prisoners was put in irons for talking with 
one of the sentries. We hear that Boston is taken by our people. 

lO^A to 13th. — There was an alarm in the city about ten o'clock at 
night. A large picket-guard was set around the prison and a field-piece 
before the door. 



11 

ISth to 18th. — The emigrants are moved to the artillery barracks 
and the rest of us into a stone jail, and are locked up at seven o'clock 
at night. 

18th to 2oth. — Nothing remarkable. 

25th to 30th. — In the night one of the prisoners got out of prison, 
and run to our people. We are in a miserable condition. Having no 
wood, we are almost frozen. 

30^/i and 31st. — Most of the prisoners consulted together to break 
out of prison, and to try their best to take the town ; but as one of the 
prisoners was cutting away some ice at the cellar door, in order to have 
it handy to open in a moment to go out at, the sentry standing near 
and hearing the cutting acquainted the officers of the guard, who ac- 
quainted some other officers. They, coming in, inquired who was 
cutting at the door, and what they were upon. One of the prisoners 
informed them of all the transaction that was going forward. The 
officers searched all the rooms in the prison and every man's pack to 
see if they could find any arms or ammunition, for they supposed 
some of the people in the town had supplied us with arms and am- 
munition, but they could not find any such things with us. At this, we 
were all put into strong irons. 

April 1st to Wth. — Our people having a battery across the river at 
Point Lewis, they threw shot into the town, very merry. The officers 
of the guard are very particular with us ; they call a roll, and count us 
morning and evening. 

lAth to 21th. — It is very sickly with us. The scurvy and lame- 
ness rage very much, occasioned by living on salt provisions. 

27th to 31st. — The town was alarmed in the night. 

May 1st to &th. — Nothing strange, but in great distress and despair. 

Qth. — This morning three ships came in with reinforcements of 
about one thousand men. All the bells in the town rang for joy most 
of the day ; then all the forces marched over to Abram's plains to have 
a battle with our people, but they retreated as fast as possible, and left 
a number sick in the hospital, likewise some of their cannon and ammu- 
nition, with a number of small arms and packs. 

1th and 8th. — The general ordered the irons to be taken off the 
prisoners. He also gave the emigrants their liberty again. This 
morning two ships came in. The ships have gone up the river and 
a number of troops by land to Montreal. 

^th to lUh. — Three ships and three brigs came in. There were 
six prisoners put in with us, taken stealing about. One company set 
out for Montreal. 

lAth to l^th. — Two ships went out, one of them a packet for 
England. 

12th to 23c?. — One ship and a number of small crafts came in. 
Thirteen prisoners enlisted into the King's service. One ship sailed out. 



12 

23c?. — Our allowance is one pound of soft bread and one pound of 
beef per day. 

2Ath to 2&th. — The militia have laid down their arms. One of 
those men that went out of prison was put on board a fifty-gun ship ; 
but as he did not incline to enter on board, they put him in irons, and 
threatened to hang him, but he was taken out of irons and put into 
[them] again in the evening. Robert Burd was taken out of prison, 
and has got his liberty ; he is going to his home in Ireland. 

2%th to 30/A. — One ship went out and twenty came in. There 
were eight or nine prisoners taken out to work ; they stayed out one 
or two days, and were required to swear allegiance to the King that 
they would not take up arms against them, and to make known all 
experiments against him. 

30i/i and 31s<. — Four ships came in ; one brig and two ships went 
out. 

June \st to bth. — Twenty-eight ships came in with General Bur- 
goyne. There are six thousand Hessians and Hanoverians come to 
assist the King's troops. Five hundred marched up the river for 
Montreal. 

bth. — This day General Carleton and some other officers came to see 
us. He inquired of us whether we had fared as well as he promised 
us we should when we were taken. We told him we fared very well. 
He said he did not take us as enemies, and likewise said if he could rely 
upon our honors he would send us to N. England if we would promise 
to be quiet and peaceable, and not take up arms any more. 

June 6, 1776. A Copy of an Ansiver sent to General Carleton. 

May it please your Excellency : We, the prisoners in his Majesty's 
jail, return your Excellency our most hearty and unfeigned thanks for 
your clemency and kindness to us, while in prison, being sensible of 
your humanity. We return your Excellency thanks for your offer 
made us yesterday, and having a desire to return to our friends and 
families, we will promise not to take up arms against his Majesty, but 
remain peaceable and quiet in our respective places of abode ; and we 
further assure your Excellency that you may depend on our fidelity, 
and we remain your Excellency's humble servants. Signed in behalf of 
the prisoners. 



LIBRARY OF CONGREsT 




